I am a relatively young single guy that's going to be vacationing alone in Thailand in May. I'm going to be there for two weeks in the beginning of May and haven't yet decided how to divide up my trip. I was thinking 5 days in Bangkok, then take a taxi to Pattaya for 5 days, then 3 more days in Bangkok.

I'm going for two reasons, the first is to relax on the beach or by the pool and drink cocktails all day. The other is to enjoy the fruits of Thailand (to be tame). I'm not on the skimpiest of budgets but do not require a 5 star resort, only somewhere clean and located right in the best areas of town so I can walk everywhere.

With that said, any suggestions on a hotel in Bangkok (I've been told about Livingstone's Lodge) and it seems right up my alley, just wanted some other options. As far as Pattaya is concerned, I'm clueless about hotels and areas.

Any help is appreciated.

Regards

the most central hotel in pattaya is the marriott, imo....

i've got to look up LL

i see what this place is....location is ok...hotel looks marginal and very basic...

if i were single/young and i am not, i would still not stay in this "type" of place....i would be concerned about privacy, security and cleanliness.....

you might look at the jw marriott, the sheraton grande, the westin, the majestic grande, the adelphi suites....these are all normal hotels, where "guests" are not unknown... standards are high and you could feel totally comfortable...

i'm sure you have read all the warnings, but health is a concern in bkk and so is security when living a bit on the 'dark' side...

you will have a blast and being there is relatively cheap....watch what you eat to avoid illness...have a beer or two or three, but keep your head about you to avoid rip offs, etc......

oh yes, not all 'women' are what they appear to be....check carefully

yes always check under the bonet!

You are wasting your precious Thai time in Pattaya. Pattaya is probably the worst Thai destination...dirty, disgusting. You're infinitely better off going to Phuket or Koh Samui...you'll thank me for this later, unless you are primarily looking for lewd fun. Good luck.

I WOULD second samui also

Definately Samui for beaches and the opportunity to meet single female travellers. Pattaya would have a better range of local "fruits" and would be less costly for food,drink,accomodation and the other thing that you are after.

Look at Dynasty Grande Hotel on Sukhumvit soi 6. It would be very close to the areas you are wanting to explore in Bangkok.

Skip Pattaya... go to Samui, although it will be extremely hot at that time... and stay on Chaweng Beach somewhere. There are resorts in all price ranges and you have all kinds of activity within walking distance.

Thank you all for your input, I will definitly research Samui as opposed to Pattaya. I've never heard of it but will certainly take the advise given here.

Regards

its on the east coast where phuket is on the west....charawaeng beach (sp) is the area you want to be staying in

Do you know if it would be a taxi ride away from Bangkok or would you suggest getting a bus/plane? I've heard that with Pattaya you would just grab a taxi from Bangkok, not sure about Samui.

Samui is an Island, a large, moderately populated Island. Chaweng is the most popular beach on that Island.
A flight from Bangkok will take a little over one hour. You can do a bus/ferry combination trip, I am not exactly sure how long this takes but I would estimate 10-12 hours.

It was originally a backpackers haven but over the last 15 years it has morphed into an international resort with many 5 star properties. It has lost some of it's appeal to me but I still think it is worthy of a visit as the beach is still beautiful. The P4P scene has certainly grown recently but it is not a main focus like Pattaya. If that is the main reason for your trip,you will probably find it easier and more open in Pattaya and it will save you a flight.

to pattaya you can take a taxi or the bus....it takes a couple of hours roughly...

smaui you can fly on bangkok air or thai air...bkk air owns the airport there...

Check Thai laws before you come over here regarding underage working girls, drugs, prostitution. Sex tourism for first time traveller to Thailand can be what you dream of or you can end up in trouble or jail or even dead. Hate to think that you're some kind of a pedophile!

Why not try Buddy Lodge along Khao Sarn Road. Most expensive place there at around $40 a night and you can drink cocktails by the pool. Good place and area for single young folk.

I'll be in Bangkok at that time. I'd be happy to show you some places.

not many have survived a nite with brad....

Bob, he's harmless. He plays pool all evening long... He does do a good job of showing people around Bangkok though.

I've seen lots of young kid running around the pool hall of Bangkok who are the spitting image of Brad!